We purchased this book on the strong recommendation of a relative, and can likewise recommend it to others, without a bone of contention...

I skim-read the story, and while the artifice used to introduce the vocabulary is a bit much for an adult, it should work well for the target audience. As the heroine is, well, - a heroine, the book might initially appeal more to young women, rather than to boys. But, any young person would probably enjoy the plot and the storyline once immersed in the book. At the risk of dating myself, I'd equate the book to Nancy Drew meets Tom Swift, updated for the 21st century... All in all, an effective and elegant solution for providing young people with a rich vocabulary while preparing them for one of the most significant examinations they must undertake.

Significantly, one-third of the book is devoted to exercises which reinforce the meaning and proper use of the myriad words introduced in the story. As repetition is the root of understanding, students would be wise to make use of this added bonus. Teachers and educators should likewise give this book strong consideration for inclusion in their curriculum and SAT-prep courses.

With the advent of a re-tooled SAT containing a much-dreaded essay component, Ms. Chapman should put her considerable creativity to work on a new book which addresses this coming challenge. I have no doubt that any such attempt would be as engaging and successful as "The Marino Mission."

...On a personal note, at last I can use the word "perspicacity" correctly...

This book is very, very good. My sister is totally into poetry and I'm not but she read this book the Marino Mission, and totally dug it, and Im never reading her stuff, but this was great! A teen romance, but with better writing than what's normal, and definitely NOT BORING. Although it's about a very cute guy hooking up with the heroine in the book. it's really a quite good because its got great adventure and a * thrilling * story. I'm in 9th grade but my sister is in 11th and gets "A"s where I do not, but I learned so much from this book, many new words, because of the notes at the bottom. But mainly I loved the story, I Loved it!

Karen B. Chapman, The Marino Mission (Wiley, 2005)

An excellent idea for a book-- write a short novel aimed at teens that contains one thousand SAT vocabulary words. Pick a subject that will probably resound with the teen population and run with it. Granted, your language is going to be a bit highbrow, but that's the whole purpose of the thing, right?

Chapman comes pretty close to getting it right. The target audience will not be the wiser when she stumbles a bit trying to fit one of the words in (using "prototype," for example, to describe the last instance of something, rather than the first, or an early, instance), and the plot gets a bit clunky at times. Still, for what it is, the books succeeds pretty well. Also comes with a good number of vocabulary exercises and the like for students to get the new words they're exposed to here cemented in their heads. ***

The story is fun, whether or not you learn "1000 words" for the SAT. The main character--a girl--is smart and gets to do things in this story; she travels to South America with her scientist mom and has a job in a lab for the summer. She falls in with a boy she meets on the beach. She and her boyfriend take life by the horns to correct what the adults are doing. It's a mystery, a love story, and a nifty plot combining teenagers and dolphins. You'll learn about genes, dolphins, and vocabulary, yes, but mostly you'll have a good time reading.

I ordered the "Marino Mission" for my grandchildren. They were both delighted with the story line and found it very helpful to have the word definitions printed at the bottom of each page. I will certainly recommend this educational and exceptional book to all my friends.